Flexibility has always been important – the ability to manage change can make or break a business. But with so much uncertainty this year, we’ve seen the value of flexibility skyrocket.

What makes it so valuable? Flexibility gives you choice, so whatever comes your way – whether that’s cashflow challenges, social distancing on-site or onboarding your employees back from furlough. You can find a way to adapt.

When looking to add flex to your business, your mobile estate makes a good candidate. With more people working remotely, mobile has become – for many – the best way to keep your employees and customers connected. This means you need it to adapt to change. Here are four ways you can build in flexibility to your mobile estate:

Remove barriers to flexibility

It’s simple, if change costs you, you’re less likely to do it. Instead, you carry on working with the same old systems and solutions that no longer fit your needs. So review your mobile contract and check that if you add data or connections to cover short-term needs, you don’t continue paying the higher scaled-up cost when you want to go back to where you were. No business can afford to waste money on services they don’t use, especially now.

Time is another big barrier to change so make sure the process of flexing your contract is quick, easy and doesn’t require a lot of admin.

Focus on strategy

When things are constantly changing, every minute counts. And your time is best spent focusing on your mobile strategy and implementing new processes that will support your business long-term. To free up more of your time, let someone else take care of your users’ day-to-day queries and troubleshooting.

Your businesses mobile provider could make a good choice for this. They already know your business and they should be able to give you a direct contact, who can help you resolve issues quickly.

Increase visibility

Embracing flexibility doesn’t have to mean you lose control. Mobile device management tools give you full visibility of your mobile estate. From security updates to the websites and apps your devices are allowed to access, to the tariffs for each of your connections. So even when things are changing, you know exactly what’s going on.

 Get the right tools

Help your people work from anywhere with devices tailored to support productivity. For example, your on-site workers may find a tablet or smartphone with a large screen easier to work from. While your hybrid workers, who split their time between home and the office, may find a laptop more practical.

And get everyone working on the same platform, like Microsoft Office 365. This enables people to collaborate on the same documents and share ideas – just like they’re working side by side in the office. While Microsoft Teams makes it easy for your people to meet, wherever they may be.

For more ideas on how to build flexibility into your business and to see how this can help you adapt to change, download our Solutions for changing times eGuide.